How to Strip Old Wallpaper

When the warm weather arrives, most people begin to think of redecorating the rooms in their house. One of the most popular ways to dress up the walls in your house is with wallpaper. Of course, there is that chore of stripping the old wallpaper from your walls.

You will need:

Stiff wire brush

Bucket

Water

Sponge

Wall covering scraper

Detergent

Liquid wallpaper stripper

There are different types of wallpaper on the market today but one thing that they all have in common is that they must be stripped before hanging new wallpaper. NEVER hang new wallpaper over the old wallpaper. This can cause it to bubble or even peel away with the old wallpaper.

It is not difficult to strip wallpaper. It always depends on the type of paste and wallpaper that you are faced with. Not to mention the homeowner who decided to layer one sheet of wallpaper on top of another and another. Most wallpapers will peel away easily after a good bath with water. A damp wall is fine for removing the old wallpaper, however, a dry wall is what is needed when applying new wallpaper.

Water is the most important thing in removing wallpaper. Vinyl and washable wallpaper are designed to bear up to water therefore they need to be 'scored' before you soak them with water. If the wallpaper doesn't seem to give after the first saturation, try a second one. You may also use a gel styled liquid wallpaper stripper. This is available at your local hardware or home center.

First, use a wire brush to 'score' the surface by slightly tearing the wallpaper as you run the brush over the wallpaper. This will allow to water to infiltrate the wallpaper's glue. Do not let the brush to penetrate the plaster.

After scoring the walls, apply the liquid stripper to the walls with a wet sponge, roller brush or paintbrush. Make certain that the entire wall is soaked with the liquid. The stripper should be working on the old wallpaper in about 30 minutes.

Carefully work the wallpaper loose with a scraper. The old wallpaper should bunch up and peel away easily. If you find areas that do not, apply some more stripper. Do not scrape too hard or you might damage the plaster. If you are working on wallboard, be careful not to strip off the paper face.

After you have removed most of the wallpaper, go around the walls and soak areas where small pieces of wallpaper still remain. Once it is all removed, wash down the wall with a little bit of detergent mixed with warm water. Let the walls dry completely before attempting to re-wallpaper the walls.

Steaming Your Walls

Another way is to use a steam stripper. For this you will need the following:

Steam stripper

Wallpaper scraper

Water

Detergent

Utility knife

A steam stripper can be rented at a reasonable price. These have a small water tank and usually take only about 2-10 minutes to heat. They can run a few hours at a time, depending on the model. Never leave it on an unprotected floor.

Score washable wallpaper as was indicated in the liquid stripping method. Place the steam plate against the wall. Hold it in place for only a few seconds, depending on the thickness of the wallpaper.

Change the position of the steamer on the next section of wallpaper. At the same time, scrape away the loose wallpaper with the scraper. Continue this until all the paper is removed. Wash down the walls with detergent and warm water.

Peel Aways

There are some wallpapers, usually vinyls that are made to peel away. Use either your fingernail or a utility knife to gently pull up a corner. Then pull the wallpaper upwards. If the wallpaper gives you problems, then score the wallpaper before pulling it.

Vinyl wallpaper usually has a thin paper backing that can cling to the wall during this process. Just soak the paper and scrape it as you would do wallpaper. It usually comes off easily.

Switch plates

Do not soak wallpaper that is around switch plates or outlets. If the wallpaper will not come away by peeling, then turn off the electricity, unscrew the plate and slowly ease it away from the area. Use as little liquid as possible around these areas.